Television table assembly which can be assembled and disassembled without tools

ABSTRACT

A television table which can be assembled and disassembled without tools is provided. The television table unities a first connecting body and a second connecting body mounted between a tabletop and a pedestal. The first connecting body includes at least one fixing pillar extending therefrom. The second connecting body includes at least one slot. The slot has a proximal edge for allowing the head section to be inserted therethrough and a clamping edge for tight-fitting the fixing pillar. Also, a fixing pin passes through fixing holes of the tabletop and the two pedestals to avoid the tabletop sliding laterally respective to the pedestals and make a connection of the tabletop and the two pedestals firmly.

CROSS REFERENCE

The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/566,754, filed on Sep. 25, 2009, which isa continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/672,345, filed on Feb. 7, 2007, of which the entire disclosure isincorporated herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tabletop attachment system which isadapted to connect a wooden tabletop to at least one wooden pedestal ina manner that the tabletop and the pedestal are connected easily,quickly and firmly.

2. Related Art

U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,838 shows a desktop supported by two legs. Each legincludes two screws connected thereto. Each screw includes a shank and ahead, the shank has an end connected to the leg, and the head isconnected to another end of the shank. Further, the shank and head havecross sections different from each other, and with the head havinglarger cross section. Additionally, the head of each screw is engaged ina slot defined in the desktop. The slot has a cross section, however,defines an open end with a smaller cross section. The open end defines ashape including an end having a cross section larger than the head forallowing the head to insert into the slot, and another end having across-section smaller than the head for retaining the head in the slot,thus accomplishing engagement between the desktop and leg.

As should be appreciated, when the screws are moved in a retainingdirection to retain the screws in the slots a further push in theretaining direction would break the slots. It is even worse if the slotsare defined in a desktop which is made of wood. Additionally, it shouldbe appreciated that the screws are liable to get broken at the endsconnected to the legs and damage the legs, because the cross sectionalareas of the shanks are relatively small, thus these ends are subject tosubstantial pressures. It is even worse if the legs are made of wood.

The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or at leastalleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A tabletop attachment system embodying the present invention includes afirst connecting body and a second connecting body, and with the firstand second bodies being releasably engagable with each other. The firstand second bodies are adapted to be mounted on a wooden pedestal and awooden tabletop, respectively. The first connecting body includes a bodymember, a first side mounted on the pedestal and a second side includingat least one fixing pillar extending therefrom. The fixing pillarincludes a neck section and a head section, with the neck section havinga proximal end connected to the second side and a distal end connectedto the head section. The second connecting body includes a body memberhaving a first side mounted on the tabletop and a second side. Thesecond connecting body further includes at least one slot extendingtherethrough. The number of slots corresponds to the number of fixingpillars. The slot includes a proximal edge and a clamping edge, with theproximal edge having a first internal diameter large enough for the headsection of the fixing pillar to go through, and with the clamping edgehaving a second internal diameter which is too small to allow the headsection of the fixing pillar to go through. Further, at least one grooveis defined in the tabletop and corresponds to the slot.

Preferably, the pedestal has a first edge and a second edge beingopposite to each other, with the body member of the first connectingbody mounted on the first edge, with the second edge for standing on asupporting surface, and with the pedestal having a height defined by aperpendicular distance between the first and second edges.

Preferably, the first connecting body member is dimensioned to have awidth which is not larger than the width of the pedestal and which issubstantially larger than a diametrical length of the fixing pillar

It is an objective of the present invention to provide each of the firstand second sides of the first connecting body with a cross sectionsubstantially larger than a cross section of the fixing pillar in orderto prevent substantial pressures applied on one of the pedestal and thetabletop.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide the necksection of the fixing pillar being moveable to mutually contacts withand tight-fits in the clamping edge of the slot, and the head section ofthe fixing pillar being moveable to mutually contacts with andtight-fits in an end of the groove, for secure engagement therebetween.

When utilized in a television table, the television table includes atabletop, two pedestals, and at least one fixing pin. The tabletopincludes at least two first connecting bodies located at near two edgesof the tabletop. Each first connecting body includes a fixing pillarextending therefrom, and the fixing pillar includes a neck section and aconnected head section with an outer diameter of the head sectiongreater than a diameter of the neck section. Each pedestal includes asecond connecting body located at a top surface thereon. The secondconnecting body includes a slot and a clamping edge extended from theslot, and a diameter of the slot being greater than a width of theclamping edge and the diameter of the slot being large enough for thehead section of the fixing pillar to go through. The clamping edge has asecond internal diameter which is too small to allow the head section ofthe fixing pillar to go through, so that the fixing pillar is insertedinto the second connecting body through the slot and slid laterally tothe clamping edge for holding the neck section and connecting thetabletop and the two pedestals. The fixing pin passes through fixingholes of the tabletop and the two pedestals to avoid the tabletopsliding laterally respective to the pedestals and make a connection ofthe tabletop and the two pedestals firmly.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. It is to be understood that both theforegoing general description and the following detailed description areexamples, and are intended to provide further explanation of theinvention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description given herein below for illustration only, and thusis not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tabletop attachment system inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the tabletop attachmentsystem.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the tabletop attachment system inaccordance with the present invention used within a desk.

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the assembly of the desk.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is another side view illustrating the assembly of the desk.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the assembled desk.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a respective view of a television table in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 11 is a explosive view of the television table in accordance withthe present invention.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are respective views of the television table inaccordance with the present invention, which shows the pedestalsassembly to the drawer.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are sectional views of the television table inaccordance with the present invention, which shows the pedestalsassembly to the drawer.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are respective views of the television table inaccordance with the present invention, which shows the tabletop assemblyto the pedestals.

FIG. 16 is sectional view of the television table in accordance with thepresent invention, which shows the tabletop assembly to the pedestals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers areused in the drawings and the description refers to the same or the likeparts.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 9, a tabletop attachment system includes a firstconnecting body 10 and a second connecting body 20 releasably engagablewith each other. Preferably, the first connecting body 10 and the secondconnecting body 20 are made of metal. The first connecting body 10 andthe second connecting body 20 are adapted to be mounted on a pedestal 91and a tabletop 92, respectively. Preferably, the pedestal 91 andtabletop 92 are made of wood. Preferably, the pedestal 91 includes afirst edge and a second edge being opposite to each other, and with thesecond edge for standing on a supporting surface, i.e. a ground, afloor, etc. Preferably, the pedestal 91 has a height (H) defined by aperpendicular distance between the first and the second edges.Preferably, the first and second edges are parallel to each other.Preferably, the pedestal 91 includes third and fourth edges extendingfrom the first and second edges and has a width (W) defined by aperpendicular distance between the third and fourth edges. Preferably,the height (H) has a size at least 10 times larger than a size of thewidth (W). Preferably, the third and fourth edges are parallel to eachother.

The first connecting body 10 includes a body member having a first sidemounted on the first edge of the pedestal 91 and a second side oppositeto the first side. The body member is dimensioned to have a width whichis not larger than the width of the pedestal 91. The first connectingbody 10 may be mounted by a plurality of fasteners 30 or other fixingmeans. In this embodiment, the first connecting body 10 includes aplurality of holes 11 extending from the first side to the second side,and the fasteners 30 extend through the holes 11 respectively and intothe first edge of the pedestal 91. Likewise, the second connecting body20 includes body member having a first side mounted on a surface of thetabletop 92 and a second side opposite to the first side. The secondconnecting body 20 may be mounted by a plurality of fasteners 31 orother fixing means. In this embodiment, the second connecting body 20includes a plurality of holes 21 extending from the first side to thesecond side, and the fasteners 31 extend through the plurality of holes21 respectively and into the surface of the tabletop 92. Additionally,the second sides of the first connecting body 10 and the secondconnecting body 20 mutually contact with each other when the firstconnecting body 10 is in engagement with the second connecting body 20.

In addition, the second side of the first connecting body 10 includes atleast one fixing pillar 12 extending therefrom. In the embodiment, twofixing pillars 12 are provided. Each fixing pillar 12 has a neck section13 and a head section 14, and the neck section 13 has a proximal endconnected to the second side of the first connecting body 10 and adistal end connected to the head section 14. Additionally, the width ofthe body member is substantially larger than a diametrical length ofeach fixing pillar 12. Further, an outer diameter of the head section 14is greater than a diameter of the neck section 13.

Further, the second connecting body 20 includes two slots 22 extendingfrom the first side to the second side. Each slot 22 has an internaldiameter which reduces progressively from a proximal edge 23 to aclamping edge 24, i.e. a diameter of the slot 22 (the proximal edge 23)is greater than a width of the clamping edge 24. Therefore, the slot 22may be similar to the shape of a teardrop. Additionally, the proximaledge 23 of each slot 22 has an internal diameter large enough for thehead section 14 of each fixing pillar 12 to go through. However, theclamping edge 24 of each slot 22 has an internal diameter which is toosmall to allow the head section 14 of each fixing pillar 12 to gothrough. Moreover, each slot 22 has a depth, i.e. a distance between thefirst and second sides of the second connecting body 20, marginallysmaller than a longitudinal length of the neck section 13 of each fixingpillar 12.

Further, the tabletop 92 includes two grooves 93 inset therein andcorresponding to two slots 22 of the second connecting body 20. Eachgroove 93 is defined in and extends from the surface to which the secondconnecting body 20 mounts. Further, each groove 93 has a depthmarginally larger than a longitudinal length of the head section 14 ofeach fixing pillar 12. Additionally, each groove 93 has a longitudinallength larger than a longitudinal length, i.e. a distance between theproximal 23 and distal 24 edges, of each slot 22 of the secondconnecting body 20.

Further, the two fixing pillars 12 of the first connecting body 10 aremoveable in the two slots 22 of the second connecting body 20, from theproximal edges 23 to the clamping edges 24. Additionally, the necksections 13 of the two fixing pillars 12 have substantial peripheraledges which can mutually contact with and tight-fit in the clampingedges 24 of the two slots 22, respectively; while the head sections 14of the two fixing pillars 12 have substantial peripheral edges which canmutually contact with and tight-fit in an end of the two grooves 93.

In order to connect the pedestal 91 to the tabletop 92, the two fixingpillars 12 of the first connecting body 10 are inserted through the twoslots 22 of the second connecting body 20, respectively, i.e. from therelated proximal edges 23. The head sections 14 of the two fixingpillars 12 are then inserted in the two grooves 93, respectively. Thepedestal 91 and tabletop 92 are then moved relative to each other tocause the neck sections 13 of the two fixing pillars 12 to move totight-fit in the clamping edges 24 of the two slots 22 and the headsections 14 of the two fixing pillars 12 to move to tight-fit in ends ofthe two grooves 93.

In addition, the tabletop 92 can be disassembled from the pedestal 91 byreversing the direction to engage the tabletop 92 to the pedestal 91.

In view of forgoing, the tabletop assembly system according to thepresent invention exhibits the following advantages.

The structure is simple.

The pedestal 91 and the tabletop 92 could be connected with each othereasily, and quickly.

The pedestal 91 and the tabletop 92 could be connected with each otherfirmly and the slots 22 in the wooden tabletop 92 can be prevented fromdamage by the fixing pillars 12, as the fixing pillars 12 are made ofmetal, and as the neck sections 13 of the two fixing pillars 12 canmutually contact with and tight-fit in the clamping edges 24 of the twoslots 22, respectively; while the head sections 14 of the two fixingpillars 12 can mutually contact with and tight-fit in an end of the twogrooves 93.

The first connecting body 10 may have at least one fixing pillar 12 andthe second connecting body has a corresponding number of slots 22 andthe tabletop 92 has a corresponding number of grooves 93.

The body member of the first connecting body 10 has a cross sectionsubstantially larger than each fixing pillar 12, thus preventingsubstantial pressures applied on the first edge of the wooden pedestal91, as described in the Description of the Related Art.

When utilized in a television table, please refer to FIG. 10 to FIG. 16.The television table 100 includes a tabletop 92, two pedestals 91, adrawer 95 and at least one fixing pin 40. The tabletop 92 includes atleast two first connecting bodies 10 located at near two opposite edgesof the tabletop 92. Each pedestal 91 includes at lease two secondconnecting bodies 20 located at a top surface 911 and an intermediateportion 912 respectively. The drawer 95 has two first connecting bodies10 located at two opposite sides.

The first connecting body 10 and the second connecting body 20 are withthe same structure as above described, and the repeat descriptionthereof will be omitted.

The drawer 95 is connected to the two pedestals 91 in perpendicular bythe first connecting body 10 and the second connecting body 20, pleaserefer to FIGS. 12A to 13B.

The tabletop 92 is connected to the two pedestals 91, please see FIGS.14 and 15. The fixing pillar 12 is inserted into the second connectingbody 20 through the slot 22 and slid laterally to the clamping edge 23for holding the neck section 13. Therefore, the tabletop 92 and the twopedestals 91 only can be disassembled by reverse sliding.

Please refer to FIG. 16, the fixing pin 40 passes through fixing holes921, 913 of the tabletop 92 and the two pedestals 91 to avoid thetabletop 92 sliding laterally respective to the pedestals 91 and make aconnection of the tabletop 92 and the two pedestals 91 firmly.Furthermore, the fixing pin 40 is made of plastic and tight-fit in thefixing holes 921, 913 of the tabletop 92 and the pedestals 91.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to thoseproficient in the relevant fields. The invention in its broader aspectsis therefore not limited to the specific details and representativeembodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, variousmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims andtheir equivalents.

1. A television table comprising: a tabletop, including at least twofirst connecting bodies located at near two edges of the tabletop, eachfirst connecting body including a fixing pillar extending therefrom, thefixing pillar including a neck section and a connected head section withan outer diameter of the head section greater than a diameter of theneck section; two pedestals, each including a second connecting bodylocated at a top surface thereon, the second connecting body including aslot and a clamping edge extended from the slot, a diameter of the slotbeing greater than a width of the clamping edge and the diameter of theslot being large enough for the head section of the fixing pillar to gothrough, the clamping edge having a second internal diameter which istoo small to allow the head section of the fixing pillar to go through,so that the fixing pillar is inserted into the second connecting bodythrough the slot and slid laterally to the clamping edge for holding theneck section, connecting the tabletop and the two pedestals; and atleast one fixing pin, passing through fixing holes of the tabletop andthe two pedestals to avoid the tabletop sliding laterally respective tothe pedestals and make a connection of the tabletop and the twopedestals firmly.
 2. The television table of claim 1, wherein the slothas a depth marginally smaller than a longitudinal length of the necksection.
 3. The television table of claim 1, wherein each pedestal has agroove placed at the top surface corresponding to the slot.
 4. Thetelevision table of claim 3, wherein the groove has a depth marginallylarger than a longitudinal length of the head section.
 5. The televisiontable of claim 1, further comprises a drawer connected between the twopedestals near intermediate portions thereof.
 6. The television table ofclaim 5, wherein the drawer has two first connecting bodies located attwo opposite sides and the pedestals has a second connecting bodylocated at the intermediate portions.
 7. The television table of claim1, wherein the tabletop and the pedestals are made of wood.
 8. Thetelevision table of claim 1, wherein the fixing pin is made of plastic.9. The television table of claim 8, wherein the fixing pin tight-fit inthe fixing holes of the tabletop and the pedestals.